The 37th annual Arts in the Park, northwest Montana's largest and longest-running arts and entertainment fair, runs today through Sunday in Kalispell's Depot Park.

Arts fair covers all the bases

This year's festival will have more than 100 booths with fine artists and craftsmen, along with wonderful foods and great musical entertainment and dance performances. On Friday and Saturday, the show runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The many performers have interesting histories and a range of styles:

-The Montana Highlanders, complete with pipes, drums, and kilts, are a dedicated group of musicians of varied backgrounds, all with a shared passion for Scottish music, pageantry and culture.

-Paradise Productions is a company of 60 male and female dancers ranging in age from 6 years to adult, who perform authentic and contemporary Hawaiian Hula, Tahitian and Maori dances. It is the largest and longest-running hula school in Montana.

-Greg Grant was born in New York City and raised in New York state. He is now based in northwestern Montana and travels often to find new influences and inspiration for his music. After being mainly a saxophonist for many years, he has added guitar, voice, and drums to his musical palette.

. Eddie Elliott is a special guest musician from Arizona. Elliot delivers soulful and optimistic acoustic/rock with a modern punch and timeless message. He writes about love, the lure of the road, spirituality and anything else that comes his way. He's the consummate storyteller, his songs inspire and amaze and his voice is strong and certain.

-Stacey Board, of Salt Lake City, has been critically acclaimed by reviewers and has made friends and fans across Utah and beyond, with her engaging performance of acoustic guitar-based songs. Board began teaching herself guitar and writing music at the age of 13 and today has three CDs under her belt. Her poetic lyrics, clever chord progressions, and soulful vocals are unique and should not be missed. For the three years in a row, she was awarded "Best Folk/Acoustic" in the Salt Lake City Area Music Awards.

. Feat-by-Feet, Montana's only tap performing company, brings the rhythm, history, and joy of tap to the Flathead Valley through classes, demonstrations, and performances. Ranging in age from 12 to 60, company members have traveled far and wide to study with masters.

-LeftOver Biscuits and Chicks is a five-piece band utilizing the traditional single mic performance, playing both traditional bluegrass and "grassed-up" popular tunes. Banjo player Brenda Hanson and fiddler Sarah Johnson join the mandolin and bouzouki player Chad Fadely, bass player Doyle Wells and lead singer Jim Sticka.

-Academy of Performing Arts is a complete arts instruction facility offering classes in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical theater and private music for all ages.

-The Sons of Norway Western Line Dancers, made up of performers of all ages, have been entertaining the Flathead Valley with their line dancing since 1983.

-The Kalispell Country Cloggers is a group of approximately 20 members who have been spreading their toe-tappin' entertainment throughout the Flathead Valley since forming eight years ago.

-Steve Eckels is a solo guitar performer and guitar instructor at Flathead High School. He blends traditional American folk songs with his background in jazz and classical music to create a unique style and expansive repertoire. He received a bachelor's degree in guitar from Berklee College of Music, a master's degree in guitar from New England Conservatory, and music education certification from Northland College.

-Tra le Gael has performed before enthusiastic audiences in the valley since its formation several years ago through the North Valley Music School. The group plays lively traditional jigs, reels, polkas and mazurkas, and combines their vocal harmonies on beautiful Irish ballads. The members are Gary Morris, banjo, guitar, whistle, mandolin and concertina; Katy Meyers, Celtic harp; Barbara Calm, hammered dulcimer; Karin Hilding, penny whistle, recorder and flute; Terry Meyers, bodhran or Irish drum.

-Blue Smoke is an acoustic trio of Joe Zambrano, Jim McBride, and Barney Stucker that blends the influences of bluegrass, country and '70s rock and roll.

-The Valley Voices is a valley-wide choir with over 24 members.

-Whitefish musician David Walburn's songs are emotionally uplifting and reminiscent of a time when music arose from the heart. Since the release of his first independent album in 1996, Walburn has successfully combined his passion for songwriting and imagery through his music and multi-media performances.

Arts in the Park is a benefit for the Hockaday Museum of Art. Daily admission is $3 and free for those under 12. Weekend passes, which also include free admission to the Hockaday Museum for the weekend, are available for $5 and allow continued visits to the festival all weekend.

All proceeds support the Hockaday's exhibit and education programs.

For more information, call 755-5268.